The attached PDF discusses the following topics:

Click to access cloud-infrastructure-01.pdf

Generations of Computers

• First Generation (Vacuum Tubes): IAS computer, stored-program concept, von Neumann architecture.
• Second Generation (Transistors): IBM 7094, transistor advantages, system/software advances.
• Third Generation (Integrated Circuits): IBM System/360, DEC PDP-8, IC construction.
• Fourth Generation (VLSI Microprocessors).
• Fifth Generation (ULSI, AI, IoT, modern processors).
• Sixth Generation (Quantum Computing, NLP, URLLC, AR/VR/MR integration).

Von Neumann Architecture & IAS Computer

• Components: Memory, CPU (ALU, Control Unit), I/O.
• Registers: AC, MQ, PC, MAR, MBR, IR, IBR.
• Instruction formats, execution cycle.
• IAS instruction set (Data transfer, Branching, Arithmetic, Address modify).

Moore’s Law

• Definition, implications, consequences (falling cost, speed, miniaturisation).
• Modern perspective (slowing down, costs rising).
• Future directions: RibbonFET, 3D stacking, chiplets, quantum computing.
• Limitations (heat, power, quantum effects, economic constraints).

Processor Families & Architectures

• Intel x86 evolution (8080 to Core series).
• ARM architecture: RISC principles, efficiency.
• ARM Cortex series (A, R, M families).
• Intel vs ARM comparison.

Memory Systems

• Semiconductor memory history (1970 onwards).
• Cache memory (L1, L2, L3).
• Memory subsystem: MAR, MBR, I/OAR, IOBR.
• Performance differences (RAM vs cache).

Embedded Systems & IoT

• Definition and constraints (real-time, environment coupling).
• Generations of IoT: IT, OT, Personal Tech, Sensor/Actuator Tech.
• Microcontroller structures and ARM-based designs.

Computer Types

• Mainframes, PCs, Workstations.
• Embedded systems.
• Servers, HPC clusters.
• Quantum computers.

Computer Architecture vs Organisation

• Architecture = What a system does.
• Organisation = How it is implemented.
• Relationship with examples (x86 by Intel/AMD).

CPU & Performance Concepts

• Uniprocessor vs Multiprocessor systems.
• CPU core structure, multicore processors.
• Instruction cycle (fetch, decode, execute).
• Control unit, ALU, I/O subsystem.
• Interrupts, context switching, kernel mode.
• Clock cycles, CPI, MIPS.
• Pipelining, superscalar execution, branch prediction.
• Problems with clock speed scaling (power, RC delay).
• Processor trends (cores, frequency, power).

Parallelism & Performance Laws

• Multi-core and hyper-threading.
• Many Integrated Core (MIC) vs GPUs.
• Amdahl’s Law (serial vs parallel fraction, speedup limits).

Operating Systems Role

• Managing hardware and services.
• Services: UI, I/O, filesystems, communication, resource allocation, error detection, protection & security.

Case Studies

1. RAM speed comparison (4400 vs 6000 MT/s) and impact on gaming, content creation, AI/ML.
2. Server procurement problem – requirements for GPU-heavy workloads, VM allocation, redundancy, and scalability.

Cache Memory

• Cache Memory and the Need for Memory Hierarchy
• Capacity and Performance of Memory
• Memory
• Memory Hierarchy
• Structure of the Hierarchy
• Speed at Different Levels
• Cost Across the Hierarchy
• Cache Levels in Detail
• Disk Cache
• Cache and Main Memory Structure
• Cache in the System

Click to access cloud-infrastructure-02-part-1.pdf

Slides 25 to 45 from the PFD 02:

Click to access module-2_cache_memory-l3-4-slides-25-to-45.pdf

ISA

• Instruction Set Architecture (ISA)
• Components of an ISA
• Instruction Types
• Evolution of Instruction Sets
• Stack Architecture Example

Click to access cloud-infrastructure-03.pdf

Cloud Infrastructure Past Paper

Click to access cloud-infrastructure-past-paper.pdf

Cloud Infrastructure Numerical & Fundamentals

Click to access cloud-infrastructure-numericals-fundamentals-2.pdf